Croydon & Old Whitgiftian Hockey Club is in existence due to the merger in 2010 of two great hockey clubs from the Croydon area (Croydon Hockey Club and Old Whitgiftian Hockey Club).
We presently run 4 mens and 3 ladies sides on Saturdays and a mixed side on Sundays. The Mens 1st XI currently play in Surrey/Hampshire Regional League Division Two and Ladies 1st XI in Surrey Division 1. All other Saturday sides play in leagues.
Although both clubs have experienced a number of changes over the last few years – none of these have affected the boundless enthusiasm, commitment and enjoyment that can be seen from all those who play for the club, and who enjoy regular club socials.
The history
Croydon Hockey Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country having been founded in 1905. Many clubs and players will know the club as Croydon M.O.’s. The M.O.’s stood for ‘Municipal Officers’, the founding members of the club being employees of Croydon Council. We dropped the M.O.’s from the club name after our centenary in 2005.
Our club history is long and interesting. There are two results that leap off the page! Back in 1949 we hosted a Pakistan Mens XI and won 2-1! The following March we thumped an East Grinstead Mens 1st XI 15 -1! The mixed section was formed in the 1967/68 season. Its inception encouraged more female members to join the club leading to the Ladies section starting in 1969/70.
Old Whigiftian Hockey Club was founded in 1981, a mere youngster in comparison to Croydon HC! The Old Whits was set up for Old Boys of Whitgift School but very soon became an open club. Whitgift School is an independent day school for boys founded by John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1596, owned by the Whitgift Foundation, an educational charity. As the old boys hockey section of Old Whitgiftian Association the hockey club have always had a good link with Whitgift School and a regular intake of past students keen to continue playing hockey with school teammates.
The club achieved notable successes including winning the Surrey/Hampshire league twice and also reaching the final of the Surrey Cup on two separate occasions. Off the field the Old Whits have always upheld a strong tradition of Saturday night entertainment both at the clubhouse and then in the centre of Croydon town.
